The Heartland Fall Forum finished up last Friday on upbeat notes during the annual membership meetings for both host organizations, the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association.

GLIBA executive director Larry Law, calling GLIBA a “vital and thriving region,” highlighted the organization's "incredible growth": from 130 stores at the start of Law's tenure in 2018 to the current 410 stores.

Membership growth was also noted by Midwest Independent Booksellers Association executive director Grace Hagen, who reported that 110 new stores have joined MIBA within the last year.

An eager crowd gathers before Friday’s Marquee Author Brunch.

Marquee Author Brunch speakers: (l.-r.)  Marisel Vera (The Girls from Humboldt Park, W.W. Norton); Daniel Nayeri (This Is a Door, Stonefruit Studio); Kao Choua Vue (The Spirit of Fearless Living, Minnesota Historical Society Press); Nicole Dennis Benn (Black Gold, Random House); Jason Prokowiew (War Boys, Trio House Press); and Kao Kalia Yang (The Waiting Years, Holiday House Books).

Shelf Awareness partnership marketing manager Kristianne Huntsberger and Independent Booksellers Association executive director Robert Martin enjoy a moment on the show floor.

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation's silent auction raised $7,088, plus a $5,000 matching donation from Lerner. Pictured: Binc CEO Pam French and Rachel Zugschwert, executive v-p, marketing and associate publisher at Lerner Publishing Group.

"The most important target is to stay relevant," said Joachim Kaufmann, the new director and CEO of the Frankfurt Book Fair, in a conversation with Publishing Perspectives editor-in-chief Andrew Albanese Friday morning. 

Appointed in September, Kaufmann will officially take over from longtime director Juergen Boos on November 1. He discussed his background in publishing and his vision for the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Andrew Albanese in conversation with Joachim Kaufmann.

The biggest risk he sees for the book fair, Kaufmann continued, is the growing tendency of "people from the professional side" to "shorten their visit" and spend fewer days at the fair. Kaufmann said the "DNA of the Frankfurt Book Fair" is the B2B fair, and he called it "by far" the most important part of the book fair. He sees the fair's role as being the central platform for the publishing industry and a hub for matchmaking and networking; going forward, the fair needs new offerings and new formats to make it worth "traveling all the way" to Frankfurt.

Prior to joining the Frankfurt Book Fair, Kaufmann had a long career in publishing. He spent 20 years as the CEO of German publisher Carlsen, and in that role, he was one of the fair's "biggest exhibitors." As such, he has "certain ideas" about "what must be changed" from an exhibitor's standpoint, though he did not address specifics.

Kaufmann said he also wants to shine a "much bigger, much stronger" spotlight on the publishing industry during the week of the fair. He wants "even more attention" from media both in Germany and abroad, and he wants to draw politicians and other important figures to discuss big topics like AI and copyright and literacy and reading promotion. He would also like to elevate the status of the publishing industry in Germany, saying it left him "speechless sometimes" that the German film and gaming industries enjoy more attention and greater government subsidies.

When it comes to the fair's public days, he wants "to create the big festival for books." He emphasized, however, that "there will always be that pure professional fair," and he will "never accept" public attendance before Friday. But from Friday through Sunday, he wants "to have a huge crowd out there," drawn by "huge stars" and "huge stages."

Asked about the current challenges facing the industry, Kaufmann called himself a "terribly optimistic guy" and described the publishing industry as being in "permanent change." He said he believes strongly in book publishing and the future of the book industry, asserting that publishing is in a "more robust" place than other legacy media, as publishers are not dependent on advertising.

Kaufmann also noted that over the course of his roughly 30-year career in book publishing, there was "always a challenge," and though the industry "loves complaining" about losing readers or bookstores dying out, "nevertheless we still exist." 

He recalled that around 2010 while he was at Carlsen, in the midst of a huge increase in e-book sales following the launch of the Kindle, the company did a "scenario day" examining what would happen if the book market became mostly digital and Carlsen's revenue became more than 50% digital. Though in the end that never came to pass, it was "good to think about it," he said.

However, Kaufmann did acknowledge risks facing the industry, including how AI companies "steal our content," the decline in reading, and competing with social media for consumers' attention. He stressed, however, that challenges also afford opportunities. AI, for example, can be a useful tool for publishers, and social media can be a great environment for promoting books.

Kaufmann said he was grateful to be taking over a fair in a "healthy economic condition," and he praised Boos's 20-year tenure as director and CEO. One of his major achievements, Kaufmann said, was that Boos "always lived with the change." He remarked: "Change will always be part of our job." --Alex Mutter

Orchard & Ink bookstore opened recently in the Woodtide Shopping Center at 4676 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, Va. Owner and former second-grade teacher Elisabeth Biswas told the Virginian-Pilot: "I've always loved books. I remember being totally obsessed with books like Magic Tree House because they created such vivid imagery. I spent a lot of time in the library, and I've been an educator for five years. So, being around literature is nothing new in my day to day."

She recalled that her vision to start her own business began in 2022 after airing workplace frustrations to her sister on a lengthy phone call, and saying she wanted to be her own boss. "We discussed the idea of taking things I love--books and cider--and combining them into a business," Biswas said. "I started a business plan, but I wasn't in the position to execute it. It was a 'one day' kind of thought."

In March, she decided to pursue her business dream and signed a lease in July. The bookshop, which opened in late September, is approximately 1,000 square feet and "has a 1990s coastal country theme," the Virginian-Pilot noted, adding that it "carries a mixture of new and gently used books, notebooks, cards, and bags."

The store is partnering with other local small businesses to sell items such as custom book-themed candles by the Scholar's Wick Candle Co. and handmade jewelry by Salty Sun Club. A selection of nonalcoholic ciders is also available.

Noting that she plans to have themed nights, book release events, local author events and craft nights, Biswas said: "Books have always brought me a sense of comfort and excitement. I love the thrill of buying a new book, the smell of fresh pages and a growing stack of unread books. I wanted to build a community bookstore that creates a space where others can experience those same feelings."

Haints and Hollers Apothecary, a local tea company in Asheville, N.C., will be opening a horror-themed tea bar and bookstore by the end of October in the South Slope district downtown at 255 Short Coxe Ave., #201. Owner and herbalist Sage Dalton, who develops medicinal teas and tinctures, said her business originated as a tea company, but has grown into a full-fledged horror-loving community, 828newsNow reported.

"It started as a tea company on the spookier, Southern Gothic side of things," Dalton recalled, "and then we decided to throw in a horror book club on top of it, which then led to a creepy craft night, and now we're like, well, what the hell? Let's go ahead and just full send it. It's going to be a horror bookstore with the tea bar, with the Southern Gothic darker feel at heart."

She added that the bricks-and-mortar Haints and Hollers will serve as a gathering place for horror fans, partner with local vendors (including local horror authors), and offer weekly events like horror book clubs, horror crafting sessions, and horror board game nights. "It'll also just be a lounge where you can come, get a book, grab a tea and then relax," Dalton said.

Construction is still in progress, but Dalton hopes to be open by Halloween: "That is what I want to do the grand opening for. So, yeah, there is a lot of work to do. I did make a crowdfund, for those in the community who want to support us absolutely can. But at the end of the day, this has to happen in one way or another. Like, there's no other option. It's happening. If I have to live here for the next month before Halloween, I will do it."

The store has a spooky autumnal atmosphere, 828newNow wrote, adding: "The walls and bar counter are painted black, while the ceiling and floor are made of sleek, polished wood. At the bar, Dalton will serve three distinct categories of Haints and Hollers tea.... Appropriately for a bookstore, Dalton has also created several teas inspired by the works of horror authors."

When Haints and Hollers opens its storefront, horror novels and their respective teas will be available for purchase together. "All custom blends that I have had made for the authors, their books will also be available here, and we can do little duo combos," Dalton said. "That way, they still get a part of the proceeds to help support them."

Malcolm Edwards, former Orion publisher and deputy CEO, died on October 3. The Bookseller reported that he began his publishing career in 1976 as an editor at Gollancz, where he published J.G. Ballard's Empire of the Sun, William Gibson's Neuromancer, and Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood within one month of each other. Edwards became publishing director and established a list that included Brian Aldiss, Octavia Butler, Arthur C Clarke, Philip K. Dick, Frank Herbert, Ursula K. Le Guin, Michael Moorcock, and Terry Pratchett. 

Malcolm Edwards

In 1989, he moved to HarperCollins UK and became fiction publishing director in early 1991. He published Michael Dobbs's House of Cards novels and George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones. The Bookseller noted that his idea to "publish a novel in paperback serial parts came to fruition with Stephen King's The Green Mile in 1996." He was named editor of the year at the British Book Awards the same year.

In a tribute, author Kate Mosse said Edwards "was a brilliant, quiet, exceptional man of publishing. He was principled and inspiring, a key part of the success of Labyrinth, and someone who never lost the excitement of discovering, and promoting, a new author." 

Gibson posted on social media: "Saddened to learn of the death of my dear friend Malcolm Edwards, my first British editor, who in my opinion had no equal in the language. Not only brilliant and deeply kind, but superbly comical as well."

Edwards was a contributing editor to the first edition of The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (1979). He also edited Foundation and Interzone, administered the Science Fiction Foundation, and was president of World SF. His only published story, "After-Images," won a British SF Award in 1983. In addition to co-authoring Tour of the Universe with Rob Holdstock, among other books, he also wrote for and edited a number of other SFF publications.

Edwards moved to Orion in 1998 to take up the newly created position of managing director of Orion Books. He became deputy chief executive and publisher in 2003, and also served on the Hachette UK board from its foundation. "At Orion he assembled an exceptional team of editors, and a major part of his role was to acquire books for all parts of the list," the Bookseller wrote. 

Edwards left Hachette in 2019. Later that year, at Worldcon Dublin, Martin presented him with the Alfie Award for his editing. Subsequently he was given the Terry Pratchett HoneyBee Award. He went on to become publisher of André Deutsch, part of the Welbeck group, before Welbeck's sale to Hachette, and later worked as a consultant.

Author Ian Rankin observed that Edwards "had a fundamental belief that the written word mattered and has the power to change minds and enrich lives. I know Malcolm changed my life for the better. The publishing world shines less brightly with his passing."

Former Orion publisher, now literary agent, Amanda Harris said his "publishing legacy cannot be overestimated. The roll-call of authors he discovered, published and championed is a who's who of commercial and critical success.... Malcolm had an unnervingly brilliant mind, and his negotiation skills, use of a silent pause and deal architecture were second to none. But the most important lesson of business he taught me, which is one I am most grateful for, was to be kind."

Kate DiCamillo spoke to a sold-crowd of 500 guests at the Boulder [Colo.] Public Library, presented by the Boulder Bookstore, for a signing and celebration for the 20th anniversary of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, just released in a deluxe collector's edition from Candlewick Press. Pictured: the busy bookselling and event team: Reghan Gillman, Zoe Fischoff, Kate DiCamillo, Julia Atwood, Barrie Kenyon, Nikki Steele, and Stephanie Schindhel. (photo courtesy Egypt Street PR)

Here is the October edition of The Poetry Shelf, our suggested poetry assortment, compiled by Michelle Halket of Central Avenue Publishing.

Welcome to the October edition of The Poetry Shelf!

Until now, I've been putting The Poetry Shelf together every month. But given the amount of research that goes into each edition--and the fact that poetry shelves don't necessarily need rethinking every four weeks--I've decided to move to an every-other-month schedule. I think that will keep it useful without overwhelming your inbox (or me!). But hey, if you have strong feelings about why it's better as a monthly feature, please: I want to hear from you!

The last several months have seen the classics dominate the bestseller lists (thank you, Christopher Nolan!), but now we're starting to see some titles from our more recent history come back onto the list. Of particular note are several titles by Wendell Berry, who we lost this summer. His most popular one is The Peace of Wild Things. I'd also like to mention Anne Carson's Nobel win this past week, and while I can't predict if she'll be on bestseller lists next week, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if some of her work showed up. Also of note are some great new books by some great poets, such as:

• The Wonderment by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
• Love Between Men by Padraig Ó. Tuama
• Tongue: A Cognitive Hazard by Chase Hughes
• The Portal of the Mystery of Hope by Charles Peguy

For the feature, I'm thinking about holiday gifting and how we might get a few more people browsing the poetry shelf. I've pulled together some giftable poetry, along with a few poetry-adjacent books that you might normally shelve somewhere else in the store. Maybe pull an extra copy of those into poetry, add something for the chef, nature/dog/cat lover, or bring in a book that families might read together over the holidays. The idea isn't to reinvent your poetry section, but to have a little fun with cross-merchandising and give shoppers who might not normally browse poetry a reason to wander over.

As always, everything I put on these lists are just suggestions meant to spark ideas of your own. Pick and choose as best fits your store!

"First customer of the day: a young boy walks in with his mom and brother and says: 'Ahh, this is magical!' " Forever Books in Saint Joseph, Mich., posted.

The two most popular books in September at Reading Group Choices were The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters (Catapult) and Stitched: A Novel by Eli McCann (Torrey House Press).

Independent Publishers Group has added five publishers to its sales and distribution programs:

Pegasus Books, the children's division of B. Jain Publishers, which started in 1966 and focuses on homeopathy. Launched in 2008, Pegasus has an aim to create a world where every child can develop a sense of curiosity, connection, and be screen-free. Pegasus has published more than 2,000 books that have been translated into more than 30 languages. (Effective January 1, U.S. and Canada.) 

Pop Icons, a series of illustrated biographies of icons of pop culture, ranging from Stephen King to H.P. Lovecraft, from J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip K. Dick. The book-magazines are published by Financière de Loisirs and its media arm, L'Écran Fantastique, and feature 60 to 70 illustrations by top comic book artists. (Effective January 1, U.S. and Canada.) 

Cassava Republic Press, which is dedicated to bringing outstanding writing from Africa and its diaspora to readers around the world. Founded in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2006 and expanded to London in 2016, Cassava publishes fiction, nonfiction and children's books. (Effective November 1, U.S. and Canada.)

Rhiza Press, a boutique Australian press that publishes books with new and established authors under several imprints, including Wombat Books, the children's list for primary school aged children; Rhiza Edge, featuring teen fiction; and Rhiza Shorts, with a list for reluctant or disengaged teen readers. (Effective January 1, U.S. and Canada.)

Erickson International, an Italian educational publisher founded in 1984 whose titles offer ideas, methodologies, and practical tools to support those who deal with the integration of people with disabilities, learning difficulties, remediation and support, social problems and issues relating to adolescence. Erickson is a trusted resource for professionals seeking solutions that improve learning, support diverse needs, and promote inclusive education. It currently has a backlist of 2,000 titles in Italian and is developing an English-language publishing program. (Effective May 1, 2027, U.S. and Canada.)

Today:
Good Morning America: Terry Bradshaw, author of Looking for Terry: A Memoir (Harper Select, $29.99, 9781400260270). 

Today: Erin French, author of The Lost Kitchen Volume 3: Seize the Supper (Celadon, $40, 978-1250369628).

The View: Patricia Williams-Lee, author of Ms. American Dream: A Memoir of Making It, No Matter What (Atria, $28, 9781668044216).

Live with Kelly and Mark: Nara Aziza Smith, author of Homemade (Morrow Cookbooks, $35, 9780063459083).

Here & Now: Michael Lewis, author of Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State (W.W. Norton, $29.99, 9781324131656).

Fresh Air: Yiyun Li, author of Music Against the Night: A Novel (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $29, 9780374613051).

Tomorrow:
Good Morning America: John Kanell, author of Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking: Because It's Always Time for Dessert (Simon Element, $35, 9781668204108).

Today: Kelly McGonigal, author of Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking (Avery, $29, 9780593715260).

Also on Today: Caroline Schiff, author of Daily Dessert: Treats on Repeat (Abrams, $35, 9781419782879).

The View: D.L. Hughley, author of Charlie's Boy: A Memoir (Mariner, $30, 9780063435438).

Tamron Hall: Sona Movsesian, author of The World's Worst Mom (Plume, $30, 9798217046706). 

Late Night with Seth Meyers: Kate McKinnon, author of The Jungle of Carabanana (Alvina Ling Books, $17.99, 9780316555814).

More than 25 years after introducing the world to Artemis Fowl, author Eoin Colfer is teaming up with Disney for an animated series adaptation, Deadline reported. At New York Comic-Con last weekend, Colfer announced during the "25 Years of Artemis Fowl" panel that the project has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+, and he will serve as executive producer alongside Ben Juwono and Colleen Evanson.

"I am proud and delighted to be part of the formidable team that is putting the Artemis Fowl animation on screen," said Colfer. "Everyone is so talented and so positive that I feel certain the fairy world is in excellent hands."

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, added: "For more than two decades, Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl books have captivated readers around the world with unforgettable characters, imaginative world-building, and gripping adventures. Bringing this beloved franchise to life as an animated series gives us the opportunity to introduce a new generation to Artemis's world while honoring the longtime fans who have cherished these stories for years."

Ali Abu Yasin has been named this year's PEN International Writer of Courage. Presented to a writer "who is active in defense of freedom of expression, often at great risk to their own safety and liberty," the honor was announced by 2026 PEN Pinter Prize winner Jacqueline Rose. Abu Yasin was selected as co-winner by Rose in collaboration with English PEN's Writers at Risk Program. Baroness Helena Kennedy delivered the encomium.

Jacqueline Rose and Ali Abu Yasin (photo: George Torode)

Since the 1990s, Abu Yasin has used theater as a space "to explore the Palestinian experience, daily life under occupation, war, and the power of art to resist violence. During this time, he has been subject to censorship and seen some of his plays banned or restricted," English PEN noted. "He has also been unable to attend key cultural festivals and events due to restrictions on his travel, including the 2019 Sundance festival for the premiere of the documentary film Gaza, in which he stars. Abu Yasin has worked with Ashtar Theatre since 2008, where he developed and directed the first Gaza Monologues, which have been performed and translated worldwide. His play was featured in Tomorrow Will Be a Palestinian Day, a collection of nine plays, performed at Theatre 503 in London in June 2026."

Rose commented: "A plaint and a call for justice, a cry of outrage and a spiritual quest, the writing, plays and performances of Ali Abu Yasin know no boundary between the world we live and die in, and the words we write and we speak. An activist from Gaza going back many years before October 7, 2023, he has been the consistent chronicler of the harshness and cruelty of Palestinian existence, and the mentor of young people struggling to pluck meaning from the debris of their lives. I am bowled over by his courage and tenacity, the way he captures moments of humanity and resilience out of the dark, firing up a new generation never to give up on the future." 

Accepting the award, Abu Yasin said, "This award carries special significance because the distinguished writer and activist Jacqueline Rose selected me to share it with her. Jacqueline is one of the most sincere and courageous voices championing the Palestinian cause today. She has devoted years of her life to advocating for our people and their right to freedom and justice.

"At the same time, this award deeply resonates with me because it bears the name of Harold Pinter, who believed in humanity and stood firmly against wars and oppressive regimes. Early in my career, I had the honor of staging his play One for the Road in Palestine. I never wrote in pursuit of an award; I wrote because I believe that death is voiceless, but our voices never die.

"Words are what grant us life when death closes in around us; a person may die, but their words transcend time. And yet, I do not feel brave when I consider an entire people who have faced war with steadfast resilience, loss, hunger, and death. Accordingly, I dedicate this award to the people of Gaza and to every writer who has chosen to navigate the vast sea of words--no matter how fierce the storm--while holding fast to the compass of freedom and truth."

It's called "phantosmia," the hallucination that one is smelling a substance that isn't in one's vicinity--burning rubber, for example, or pungent chemicals. In the case of the unnamed protagonist of Cold Fusion, the first novel by Paul Grimstad, the scent is chlorine, "accompanied by an itch in my sinuses and a glowing haze over my left eye." Life is tough enough when one is about to enter college. Incoming freshmen don't need olfactory stressors to add to the misery. But that's just one of the issues facing the poor guy at the center of this sympathetic work.

If Grimstad's name sounds familiar, it's because he had roles in two films from 2025: Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another and Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme. "Battle" is a good way to describe the struggles of the first-person narrator arriving at a Wisconsin university circa 1992. The stench of chlorine during his frequent episodes is so intense that prescription pills don't help. The only respite comes from the "mentholated coolness" of the Noxzema he slathers all over his face until the smell subsides. Circumstances have given him ample reason to keep a huge supply on hand. His father, a lawyer, recently died. Despite the narrator's interest in astronomy, he hasn't signed up for classes yet. The university assigns his dorm room to someone else. His mother, who pressures him to review her estate plan because he's her sole heir, arranges for him to live at the Hyatt Regency. She also orders him to connect with Lawrence Winslow, a fellow student around whom he grew up. Winslow, however, is hard to find. He spends much of his time, a classmate says, "playing with his mirrors and cathodes" and working in a lab "where they're trying to figure out what happens inside the sun."

What follows in this multivariate coming-of-age work is one young man's trek not only across Wisconsin in search of his acquaintance but also through the realities of adulthood. He visits the "fixer-upper" of an old church where Winslow reportedly lives, attends the "perpetual cocktail hour" that nonconformist classmates attend, hires limos to take him to campus, meets with a concerned dean who is perplexed by the narrator's apathy, and more. Anyone who has ever gone to college is likely to identify with the narrator's plight. Expect to nod along in recognition with Grimstad's winningly confessional novel. --Michael Magras, freelance book reviewer

Shelf Talker: Paul Grimstad's Cold Fusion, set in the 1990s, is a heartfelt novel about a college freshman grieving his father's death and hallucinating the smell of chlorine whenever he's stressed out.